Asked by Malik Smith on Jul 31, 2024

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How did Leonid Brezhnev change the tack of Soviet policy after taking control from Nikita Khrushchev?

A) He stepped up efforts to place nuclear weapons in Cuba.
B) He reduced the production of consumer goods.
C) He attempted to make peace with the United States and end the Cold War.
D) He purged the party of old Stalinists.
E) He returned the Soviet Union to communist orthodoxy.

Leonid Brezhnev

A Soviet politician who led the Soviet Union as General Secretary of the Communist Party from 1964 until his death in 1982.

Soviet Policy

The political strategy or principles governing the Soviet Union, particularly during the Cold War era, including approaches to economy, international relations, and internal governance.

Communist Orthodoxy

The strict adherence to the principles and doctrines of classical Marxism-Leninism within communist ideologies and practices.

  • Examine the influence of prominent leaders and their approaches during the Cold War era.
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Philomina AmangJul 31, 2024
Final Answer :
E
Explanation :
Leonid Brezhnev's main priority was to return the Soviet Union to communist orthodoxy, reasserting control over Eastern Europe and putting down uprisings in countries like Czechoslovakia. He rolled back some of Khrushchev's policies aimed at decentralizing the economy and reducing the power of the central government, and increased spending on defense and heavy industry at the expense of consumer goods. While Brezhnev did have negotiations with the US and signed arms control agreements, he did not make significant efforts to end the Cold War or make lasting peace with the US. Brezhnev did not make any attempts to place nuclear weapons in Cuba and did not purge the party of old Stalinists (in fact, many of his top officials were holdovers from the Stalin era).